§ 8 §1020 — Registration of slot machines

1.
Registration required.
A slot machine may not be operated or distributed pursuant to this chapter unless the slot machine is registered by the board, the slot machine operator is licensed by the board and each slot machine distributor or gambling services vendor that distributed the slot machine or the slot machine's associated equipment is licensed by the board or the slot machine is distributed to and operated by an accredited postsecondary institution for the purposes of training and education under section 1011, subsection 1‑B.
2.
Requirements for registration.
To be registered, a slot machine:
3.
Limits on total slot machines.
The board shall determine the number of slot machines to be registered in the State. The board shall make this determination based upon the minimum net slot machine income, when distributed pursuant to section 1036, necessary to maintain the harness horse racing industry in this State, except that:
4.
Certification of slot machines and associated equipment.
The board shall, in cooperation with the department, approve qualified independent laboratories for certification of slot machines and slot machine associated equipment from slot machine distributors and gambling services vendors seeking registration as required in this chapter. The board shall require the slot machine distributor or gambling services vendor seeking certification of the slot machine or slot machine associated equipment to pay the board-approved independent laboratory the cost of the certification before the certification is completed. The board may adopt rules to establish the approval process to verify certifications, approve shipments and inspect slot machines. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
5.
Unregistered or noncompliant slot machine subject to confiscation.
A slot machine that is not registered as required by this section or that does not comply with the requirements of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter is contraband and a public nuisance and the slot machine and the slot machine's monetary contents, monetary proceeds and associated equipment are subject to confiscation by any law enforcement officer. Slot machines and any monetary contents, monetary proceeds and associated equipment confiscated pursuant to this section are subject to forfeiture in accordance with the procedures outlined in Title 17‑A, section 959 or 960.

Legislative History

PL 2003, c. 687, §A5 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 687, §B11 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 663, §9 (AMD). IB 2009, c. 2, §37 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 585, §§7, 8 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 212, §§23, 24 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 614, §§3, 4 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 549, §§12, 13 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 549, §15 (AFF).